More than 170 athletes from 64 schools earned awards at the fourth annual event

Utah’s most accomplished young stars shined brighter than ever Monday night.
More than 170 student athletes — representing 64 different schools from the Beehive State — were honored at the fourth annual Deseret News High School Sports Awards presented by The Larry H. Miller Company, with the celebratory event being held at the Grand America Hotel in Salt Lake City.
We love to recognize people who are successful and working hard. We think they are aligned with our pioneering values at the Deseret News, and certainly these athletes qualify, said Deseret News publisher Burke Olsen.
… The state of Utah really cares about our families, and we care about our young people. We care about seeing them excel and do their best. Parents and schools put a lot of money and energy into seeing their kids have the best opportunities available to them, and for us, (the awards are) a chance to recognize all of that hard work and achievement.
In addition to the Miller Company, other top sponsors for the event were America First Credit Union, Wadsworth Construction and Minky Couture.
You think of all the things that lead you to be successful in life, it’s discipline, it’s hard work, it’s dedication. These are all things that you learn in high school sports, said John Kimball, President of Business Operations for Real Salt Lake and Utah Royals FC.
You learn those things, and then you ply those for the rest of your life. This is one of the ways the Millers choose to give back to the community. They want to inspire these athletes to work hard, to be disciplined and to be committed, so that someday they can ply those things and be great contributors to the community.
The night’s honors included most outstanding athlete awards for each of Utah’s 25 sanctioned sports, as well as male and female honors for the athletes and coaches of the year, who each received a $1,000 cash prize and gift basket courtesy of America First Credit Union.
Herriman cross country and track standout Jackson Spencer was named Male Athlete of the Year, having gone undefeated during cross country season and setting a number of state records in each sport.
The 2025-26 boys cross country national Gatorade Player of the Year, Spencer will continue his running career at BYU.
Milika Satuala, a Bountiful High product now at the University of Utah, earned Female Athlete of the Year honors after cping her high school basketball career with an individual Ms. Basketball selection and third state championship.
Satuala also excelled in volleyball, where she was a two-time First Team all-state talent, but chose to pursue college basketball with the Utes as a 4-star signee.
It really feels awesome just to see hard work pay off, Satuala told the Deseret News.
I just feel so fortunate to have experienced all the opportunities I did in basketball and volleyball. All the coaches, all the tears, everything I have, I just feel so fortunate to have these opportunities. It’s really been a blessing.
Troy Norris of Panguitch High was selected as Male Coach of the Year, as his 34-year coaching career has come to a close following 46 combined state championships in track and volleyball.
Corner Canyon’s Mindy Ricks was the choice for Female Coach of the Year, leading the Chargers’ girls volleyball squad to a 23-6 record and a 6A state championship.
Deseret News columnist and BYUtv broadcaster Dave McCann served as the event’s master of ceremonies.
2025-26 Deseret News High School Sports Awards Honorees
Athlete of the Year
Male: Jackson Spencer, Herriman
Female: Milika Satuala, Bountiful
Coach of the Year
Male: Troy Norris, Panguitch girls volleyball
Female: Mindy Ricks, Corner Canyon girls volleyball
Boys cross-country
Mr. Cross-Country: Jackson Spencer, Herriman
Most outstanding athletes
Jackson Spencer, Herriman
Miles Braithwaite, Lehi
Peter Mecham, Orem
Logan Rohatinsky, Corner Canyon
David Webb, American Fork
Girls cross-country
Ms. Cross-Country: Lily Alder, Timpview
Most outstanding athletes
Lily Alder, Timpview
Maya Bybee, Lone Peak
Skye Jensen, American Fork
Maddie Reeder, Highland
Rozlyn Stowe, Carbon
Mr. Football: Tradon Bessinger, Davis
Most outstanding athletes
Top QB: Tradon Bessinger, Davis
Top RB: Jagger Ron Nieves, San Juan
Top WR: Graham Livingston, Ridgeline
Top TE: Brock Harris, Pine View
Top OL: Bott Lopati Euta Mulitalo II, Lone Peak
Top OL: Esun Tafa, Corner Canyon
Top DL: Krew Jones, Ridgeline
Top DL: Lopeti Mataitini Moala, Orem
Top LB: Adam Bywater, Olympus
Top LB: Griffin Kunz, Skyridge
Top DB: Bode Sparrow, Davis
Top ATH: Salesi Moa, Fremont
Boys volleyball
Mr. Volleyball: Ashton Shewell, Lehi
The Ultimate 6
Ashton Shewell, Lehi
Landon Chism, Bountiful
Faleupoluoalii JJ Faiivae, Bingham
Ty Reynolds, Lehi
JJ Serre, Wasatch
Kilika Tafa, Lone Peak
Girls Volleyball
Ms. Volleyball: Avery Poulton, Woods Cross
The Ultimate 6
Avery Poulton, Woods Cross
Nafanua Alofipo, Corner Canyon
Halle Bills, Corner Canyon
Ava Burgess, Lone Peak
Kylie Buttars, Skyridge
Taytum Nelson, Pleasant Grove
Boys Basketball
Mr. Basketball: Gavin Lowe, Olympus
Dream 5 starters
Gavin Lowe, Olympus
Karter Miller, Layton
Dean Rueckert, Timpview
Jamyn Sondrup, Springville
Luke West, Bingham
Girls Basketball
Ms. Basketball: Milika Satuala, Bountiful
Dream 5 starters
Milika Satuala, Bountiful
Maylee Anderson, Syracuse
Tabitha Clark, Pleasant Grove
La’u Pele Kylee Falatea, West
Rylee Little, Kanab
Drill team
Ms. Drill: Mya Tuaileva, Pleasant Grove
Most outstanding athletes
Mya Tuaileva, Pleasant Grove
Stella Condie, Spanish Fork
Ellison Parkinson, Davis
Jaylee Peck, Bingham
Jersey Schaugaard, Westlake
Competitive cheer
Ms. Cheer: Mylie Matthews, Corner Canyon
Most outstanding athletes
Mylie Matthews, Corner Canyon
Maddix Brown, Crimson Cliffs
Jayma Grimm, Bingham
Aubryn Jones, Morgan
Kaleb Sanders, Mle Mountain
Boys golf
Mr. Golf: Austin Shelley, Skyline
Most outstanding athletes
Austin Shelley, Skyline
Blake Brown, Lone Peak
Jackson Erickson, Riverton
Will Pedersen, Olympus
Will Pizza, Corner Canyon
Girls golf
Ms. Golf: Kate Walker, Crimson Cliffs
Most outstanding athletes
Kate Walker, Crimson Cliffs
Paige Anae, Herriman
Navy Hubbs, Salem Hills
Claire Olafsson, Brighton
Kaylee Mae Westfall, Orem
Boys tennis
Mr. Tennis: Braeden Michael Johnson, American Fork
Most outstanding athletes
Braeden Michael Johnson, American Fork
Davis Aubrey, Bingham
Ryan Austin, Timpview
Kian Noori Claro, Highland
Adam Miner, Crimson Cliffs
Girls tennis
Ms. Tennis: Andi Armstrong, Skyridge
Most outstanding athletes
Andi Armstrong, Skyridge
Lyla Bergeson, Woods Cross
Soo-Ah Byun, Highland
Luciana Gonzalez, Hillcrest
Kamryn Newman, Bingham
Boys soccer
Mr. Soccer: Brooks Barker, Salem Hills
Best 11
F: Brooks Barker, Salem Hills
F: Jack Burrup, Farmington
F: Carlos Nieto-Rosales, Murray
MF: Cameron Martin, Bountiful
MF: Jack McAllister, Alta
MF: Patrick Stevenson, Lone Peak
MF: Blake Stuart, Lone Peak
D: Axel Antonio Lopez, Murray
D: Maximo Rafael Olmos, Pleasant Grove
D: Charlie Spencer, East
GK: Xavier Peregrina, Ogden
Girls soccer
Ms. Soccer: Chloe Sadler, Green Canyon
Best 11
F: Taylee Highes, Syracuse
F: Camila Palafox, Copper Hills
F: Belle Sorensen, Bountiful
MF: Addison Feldman, East
MF: Kate Fuller, Lone Peak
MF: Ivy Harding, Lone Peak
MF: Chloe Sadler, Green Canyon
D: Londyn Green, Brighton
D: Sienna Jenson, Riverton
D: Emma Peterson, Olympus
GK: Eliza Collings, Lone Peak
Boys wrestling
Mr. Wrestling: Austin Paris, Layton
Most outstanding athletes
Austin Paris, Layton
Trayvn Boger, South Summit
Noah Bull, Layton
Ladd Holman, Juab
Tucker Roybal, Union
Tanner Telford, Corner Canyon
Girls wrestling
Ms. Wrestling: Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest
Most outstanding athletes
Eva Zimmerman, Hillcrest
Nia Hagler, Snow Canyon
Rachel Jensen, Salem Hills
Tevia Nau Rarick, Westlake
Leena Sharp, Uintah
Bynlee Avah Sorensen, Layton
Boys lacrosse
Mr. Lacrosse: JT Rigby, Mountain Ridge
Best 11
Attack: Henry Alnwick, Park City
Attack: Gabe Carrera, Brighton
Attack: JT Rigby, Mountain Ridge
Middie: Zac Anderson, Brighton
Middie: Cabell Buechner, Skyridge
Middie: Pierson DeGracie, Corner Canyon
SSDM: Thomas Rex Davis, Park City
Defender: Tanner Adamson, Corner Canyon
Defender: Harper Brent, Park City
Goalie: Max Gordon, Park City
FOS: Dallas Cash Mattena, Judge Memorial
Girls lacrosse
Ms. Lacrosse: Coco Crawford, Park City
Best 12
Attack: Olivia Dalton, Park City
Attack: Natalia Szwajkun, Park City
Middie: Maggie Bird, Riverton
Middie: Summerlyn Buechner, Skyridge
Middie: Coco Crawford, Park City
Middie: Lily Henderson, West Jordan
Middie: Sophie Anne Nielsen, Brighton
Middie: Paisley Young, Riverton
Defender: Madelyn Coton, Skyridge
Defender: Lily Yatkeman, Park City
DM: Elise Southworth, Copper Hills
Goalie: Mckinsey Darling, Park City
Boys swimming
Mr. Swimming: Luan Barnard, Brighton
Most outstanding athletes
Luan Barnard, Brighton
Xander Berg, Lone Peak
Ethan Brown, Mountain Ridge
Thomas Chamberlain, Viewmont
Benson Mortensen, Wasatch
Malachi Villarreal, West Field
Girls swimming
Ms. Swimming: Ana Diedrichs, Wasatch
Most outstanding athletes
Ana Diedrichs, Wasatch
Chesney Bonner, Desert Hills
Aulia Leauanae, Springville
Rainie Moran, Olympus
Emma Staskus, Olympus
Camryn Tanton, Timpview
Baseball
Mr. Baseball: Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills
Elite starting 9
Harmon Skeen, Desert Hills
Cooper Goff, Mountain Ridge
Jeremiah Hall, Mle Mountain
Mason Hawk Henry, Pleasant Grove
Kenny Johnson, American Fork
Dawson Moore, Provo
Trey Vaughn, Snow Canyon
Nixon Warren, Spanish Fork
Jake Welch, Lehi
Softball
Ms. Softball: Maggie Hamblin, Riverton
Elite starting 9
Maggie Hamblin, Riverton
Kennadie Blackmer, Box Elder
Riley Greene, Desert Hills
Aspyn Hawes, Herriman
Lia Higginson, Spanish Fork
Kennedy Jennings, Copper Hills
Jo Norman, Salem Hills
Lulu West, Desert Hills
Emmery Wilson, Salem Hills
Boys track
Mr. Track: Josh Hamblin, Weber
Most outstanding athletes
Josh Hamblin, Weber
Matthew Bryant, Lone Peak
Eli Connelly, Crimson Cliffs
Davis DeGroot, Bonneville
Peter Mecham, Orem
Jackson Spencer, Herriman
Bristol Jackson Woods, Dixie
Girls track
Ms. Track: Amelia Nadauld, Snow Canyon
Most outstanding athletes

Source: Salt Lake City Deseret News

Published: June 9, 2026 5:18 AM

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